Big Ten suspends Iowa's McCaffery for 1 game

DES MOINES, Iowa — The Big Ten suspended Iowa coach Fran McCaffery for one game and fined Iowa $10,000 on Tuesday for his outburst during a loss at Wisconsin.

McCaffery received back-to-back technical fouls and was ejected for arguing with officials midway through the second half of Sunday's game. The Big Ten said McCaffery's actions violated the league's sportsmanship policy.

McCaffery will sit out Thursday's home game against Northwestern and assistant coach Kirk Speraw will take his place. Iowa spokesman Steve Roe told The Associated Press that Thursday's scheduled "Fran McCaffery Bobblehead Night" will likely be rescheduled.

"I want to again apologize to the University of Iowa, my players, staff and the tremendous Hawkeye fans for my emotional reaction during Sunday's game," McCaffery said. "I regret my actions and accept the Big Ten Conference's decision. I am ready to move on."

McCaffery's temper has gotten him in trouble before. But this is his first suspension in four seasons at Iowa.

McCaffery was ejected late in a blowout loss at Northern Iowa in 2011. In early 2012, he slammed a chair to the court in frustration during a loss at Michigan State.

The Hawkeyes held a slim lead over the Badgers in Madison on Sunday when McCaffery took objection to a couple of calls that didn't go Iowa's way.

The Badgers hit four straight free throws and went on for a 75-71 win.

"Fran expressed his remorse and accepted responsibility from the first minute we talked on Monday morning," Iowa athletic director Gary Barta said. "We accept the ruling of the Big Ten Conference and as a result Fran will not coach his team Thursday evening. We all look forward to putting the incident behind us. Our focus now is on Thursday night against Northwestern and the remainder of the conference season. Fran continues to have my full support moving forward."

McCaffery has turned the once-moribund Hawkeyes into a Big Ten contender. Iowa (12-3, 1-1 Big Ten) is ranked No. 20 and on track for its first NCAA tournament berth in eight years.